Relief prints on colored hand-made paper, 36 individually printed sheets, 1996. 1372x1372 mm; 54x54 inches overall. Each 215x215 mm; 81/2x81/2 inches (sheets), full margins. Number 3 of an edition of 15. Printed and published by Two Palms Press, New York.
According to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, "Under Pressure: Prints from Two Palms Press", Feb. 2-March 15, 2002 exhibition catalogue, Sol LeWitt's grid of 36 Eight-Pointed Star is part of a set of 7 such grids representing various star shapes. As is common with LeWitt, a simple formula evolves into a more complicated idea as it materializes. Seven types of stars, from 3 to 9 points, are printed in all of the possible 2-part color combinations of white, black, and gray, as well as red, yellow, and blue with the paper being tinted one color and the aluminum relief plate inked another. The result is 7 groups of 36 similarly starred panels aligned in 6 rows of 6. Aluminum plates were industrially manufactured and run under enormous pressure through David Lasry's (founder of Two Palms Press) hydraulic press, producing a deep relief in the soft, thick paper. Because of the somewhat watery, translucent tints, the compromised colors are akin to LeWitt's wall paintings.
